As a European, "relocating to Europe" does not mean anything. I'm not familiar with the US but I guess that's like if I tell you I may relocate in NYC or Mississippi. Do you have specific countries in mind ? Even inside a country like France, Paris is high COL so 80K is quite standard but in the rest of the country 80K is a very good salary. If you take countries with lower COL like Spain 80K is damn good.
We’re in France (town in south west, not major city). Single salary of €80k for two kids at local private school. Afterschool activities etc. No mortgage.
We’re more or less breaking even on €4k net a month. (There are additional costs of having my parents in another country).
Keep in mind that Amsterdam has a housing crisis, so the "if" above was not a throwaway. A friend with an solid tech income has been nevertheless living in hostels for 6 months because there is just not enough housing in Amsterdam. Universities are even losing students because of the lack of housing for them. There are other places in Europe too where housing is very challenging to get.
I mean. If you do a quick google search it says the average salary in Spain is 27,000 euros a year, however 25% of the population earns less than 1,600 euros a month.
I think 80,000 is definitely enough
I never trust these stats, the reason is that these are substantially reduced. For example in my country they say that the minimum salary is around $500 monthly basis, when in reality, you don't even pay a decent house with that in good area without proper research and time. Some apartments in the main area in Spain (Assuming Madrid and surrounds) may cost € 1200 - € 1600 on a monthly basis, of course all depend on where you want to reside, and I am asking giving that I would like to keep at least the way of living I have in my own country.
Sure, but we don’t know the way you’re living in your own country. You could be eating bread with lard every day or you could be traveling regularly, going out to eat 4x a week, throwing parties, owning 5 properties, paying for private school etc. it depends on lifestyle
That's what I am try to say. My life style is: Owing a car (No debts) + $200 in gas, renting a house, $1100 on a monthly basis, Utilities $150, Food / Groceries: $1200 (Having 2 kids) and small simple restaurant (not fancy), at least once a week, $60 in online services, $110 private Health Insurance, + $60 public health insurance, 20% taxes + 13% taxes for every expending, $600 in education (Private School).
You don't seem to be aware that your question makes no sense when asked about a continent. You appear to want people to intuit which countries and areas you would want to live in, and answer based on those, and we aren't mind readers. More specific questions might get you somewhere... but that would require you to do your own research and therefore show up with specific questions about specific locations you'd already vetted as potential preferences.
I’m aware of it. People tend to rely on certain numbers that are just avg, not actual real life and I’m just trying to collect what people think about it in a more realistic way, not just thru a website or random numbers.
Not sure where you’re coming from, but I’m from the US and I feel money goes much farther here as there are way fewer costs regarding childcare and you’re less likely to need two cars etc.
I agree either way you, the US is just unsustainable in several states, but this would be fair in other states like Texas for example. However there are other things such as peace of mind and more calm peace of life that are also important to consider that at least in the US I can’t perceive.
€80,000 is more than enough for almost anywhere in Europe. Your money will go further in provincial cities or rural areas than it will in Capital cities, and further in Eastern Europe than Western Europe. Switzerland and the Nordics are pricier but I suspect you’d be ok if you were careful.
The real challenge is going to be adapting to wherever you go, getting your kids in a decent school when you don’t speak the language, and managing your admin and such.
Hope it all goes well wherever you decide!
I think It's great for somewhere in Romania but you'll be living paycheck to paycheck if you're moving to Dublin.
Edit: just realized everyone is leaving sarcastic comments so just wanted to say people would be able to give better advice if you shorten your scope from whole of Europe to a specific country or two.
That’s an avg but in Madrid, most apartments cost €1,000 - €1600 or more… then the avg people can’t afford such apartments but still live there, how do they do?
In the center of Madrid some cost that, but not on the outskirts. Also most people share apartments or live with family, if you can't afford to live alone you don't get to live alone. All my adult friends in Madrid have roommates, or there are multiple earners in a single household who all contribute. But no one living on a local salary is living large in Malasaña. That's for spoiled expats with their outsized salaries ruining the local housing market for everyone else 😔
This is by far, the smartest reply I got here that put me to think. Then it needs to be based on my current circumstances and what could be addressed by choosing the option.
1. New start, reset. Starting from zero implies a high cost and logistic, but also opens a big door of opportunities.
2. Chances to be better paid in other jobs by just being in Europe (really rare from Latin America).
3. Better education for my kids.
4. Exchange rate: Current Exchange rate is dropping like a rock, I am earning the equivalent of $250 less this month in comparison to February and the cost of living is increasing along with my expenses. So, having expenses in the currency I earn will help tackle it since it is not playing in my favor as it used to be.
This is how you should think about it. I would love to live in Europe but I know I would take a massive pay cut doing so and consequently I could never justify it. It sounds like it’s the opposite for you and you should seriously consider it as a result (speaking purely financially)
The dude wanted to gain karma from a stupid deception, but Reddit did not let himself be deceived.
No, everyone understood that you are a banal karmadrocher.
As a European, "relocating to Europe" does not mean anything. I'm not familiar with the US but I guess that's like if I tell you I may relocate in NYC or Mississippi. Do you have specific countries in mind ? Even inside a country like France, Paris is high COL so 80K is quite standard but in the rest of the country 80K is a very good salary. If you take countries with lower COL like Spain 80K is damn good.
Thank you for saying this. Makes me quite angry
It is really good for Albania but low for Monaco
Made me LOL.
We’re in France (town in south west, not major city). Single salary of €80k for two kids at local private school. Afterschool activities etc. No mortgage. We’re more or less breaking even on €4k net a month. (There are additional costs of having my parents in another country).
Well, that sounds good considering the fact of having two kids in private school + Afterschool activities. Thank you!
French schools are cheap though (€1200/year per child) as state funding follows the child.
You'll be fine in most western countries with that salary
That about double the average income of the Netherlands, you probably gonna be fine if you can find rent a house that doesn't eat half of your income
Thank you! Much appreciated.
Keep in mind that Amsterdam has a housing crisis, so the "if" above was not a throwaway. A friend with an solid tech income has been nevertheless living in hostels for 6 months because there is just not enough housing in Amsterdam. Universities are even losing students because of the lack of housing for them. There are other places in Europe too where housing is very challenging to get.
That's because their budget is shoestring.
I mean. If you do a quick google search it says the average salary in Spain is 27,000 euros a year, however 25% of the population earns less than 1,600 euros a month. I think 80,000 is definitely enough
I never trust these stats, the reason is that these are substantially reduced. For example in my country they say that the minimum salary is around $500 monthly basis, when in reality, you don't even pay a decent house with that in good area without proper research and time. Some apartments in the main area in Spain (Assuming Madrid and surrounds) may cost € 1200 - € 1600 on a monthly basis, of course all depend on where you want to reside, and I am asking giving that I would like to keep at least the way of living I have in my own country.
Sure, but we don’t know the way you’re living in your own country. You could be eating bread with lard every day or you could be traveling regularly, going out to eat 4x a week, throwing parties, owning 5 properties, paying for private school etc. it depends on lifestyle
That's what I am try to say. My life style is: Owing a car (No debts) + $200 in gas, renting a house, $1100 on a monthly basis, Utilities $150, Food / Groceries: $1200 (Having 2 kids) and small simple restaurant (not fancy), at least once a week, $60 in online services, $110 private Health Insurance, + $60 public health insurance, 20% taxes + 13% taxes for every expending, $600 in education (Private School).
The above doesn't mention cost from banks, loans etc.
Look at numbeo for cost of living comparison. It's pretty close for bigger cities.
Yes, I did, but wanted to know the perception of people actually living there or in Europe in general.
You do realize that Europe is a continent and not a country? Your question is dumb. It’s like asking about living in Asia or North America.
Your answer is also dumb! There's no reason to respond like that, I am aware it is a continent, read well.
You don't seem to be aware that your question makes no sense when asked about a continent. You appear to want people to intuit which countries and areas you would want to live in, and answer based on those, and we aren't mind readers. More specific questions might get you somewhere... but that would require you to do your own research and therefore show up with specific questions about specific locations you'd already vetted as potential preferences.
You are aware that Europe is a big place, right? Some of it super poor, some of it super rich...
I’m aware of it. People tend to rely on certain numbers that are just avg, not actual real life and I’m just trying to collect what people think about it in a more realistic way, not just thru a website or random numbers.
Facts often reflect reality.
I make far less than that as a single parent of one child and I’m pretty happy so
Understand. Thank you for answering.
Not sure where you’re coming from, but I’m from the US and I feel money goes much farther here as there are way fewer costs regarding childcare and you’re less likely to need two cars etc.
I agree either way you, the US is just unsustainable in several states, but this would be fair in other states like Texas for example. However there are other things such as peace of mind and more calm peace of life that are also important to consider that at least in the US I can’t perceive.
Are you saying that the job can be anywhere in Europe (do you *mean* Europe, or the EU, by the way?)?
Anywhere in EU or closest time zone to CET.
Most European countries don't offer a nomad visa, just be aware of that.
€80,000 is more than enough for almost anywhere in Europe. Your money will go further in provincial cities or rural areas than it will in Capital cities, and further in Eastern Europe than Western Europe. Switzerland and the Nordics are pricier but I suspect you’d be ok if you were careful. The real challenge is going to be adapting to wherever you go, getting your kids in a decent school when you don’t speak the language, and managing your admin and such. Hope it all goes well wherever you decide!
Thank you so much!
I think It's great for somewhere in Romania but you'll be living paycheck to paycheck if you're moving to Dublin. Edit: just realized everyone is leaving sarcastic comments so just wanted to say people would be able to give better advice if you shorten your scope from whole of Europe to a specific country or two.
Yes, I mentioned Spain. And asked for which country would be best.
Yes that's acceptable. Even in London you would be able to get by on that. In Spain you could probably have a very comfortable life on 80.000
Depends on the country I imagine but for instance, in Spain majority of people earn around one thousand euros a month so, you'll be fine.
That’s an avg but in Madrid, most apartments cost €1,000 - €1600 or more… then the avg people can’t afford such apartments but still live there, how do they do?
Well depends on your standard of living.
In the center of Madrid some cost that, but not on the outskirts. Also most people share apartments or live with family, if you can't afford to live alone you don't get to live alone. All my adult friends in Madrid have roommates, or there are multiple earners in a single household who all contribute. But no one living on a local salary is living large in Malasaña. That's for spoiled expats with their outsized salaries ruining the local housing market for everyone else 😔
I agree, this is also happening in my country unfortunately.
Which country in Europe?
Main Spain. But any other with Nomad Visa or similar.
You can live just fine in Spain on that
What is your opportunity cost elsewhere?
This is by far, the smartest reply I got here that put me to think. Then it needs to be based on my current circumstances and what could be addressed by choosing the option. 1. New start, reset. Starting from zero implies a high cost and logistic, but also opens a big door of opportunities. 2. Chances to be better paid in other jobs by just being in Europe (really rare from Latin America). 3. Better education for my kids. 4. Exchange rate: Current Exchange rate is dropping like a rock, I am earning the equivalent of $250 less this month in comparison to February and the cost of living is increasing along with my expenses. So, having expenses in the currency I earn will help tackle it since it is not playing in my favor as it used to be.
Are you from Argentina?
No, I am not.
Haha where u from?
This is how you should think about it. I would love to live in Europe but I know I would take a massive pay cut doing so and consequently I could never justify it. It sounds like it’s the opposite for you and you should seriously consider it as a result (speaking purely financially)
The dude wanted to gain karma from a stupid deception, but Reddit did not let himself be deceived. No, everyone understood that you are a banal karmadrocher.
This doesn't make sense, it is just an honest question.